Stars go public as scandal engulfs TV show

Stars speak out as scandal engulfs TV show

The popular UK dance competition show Strictly Come Dancing is embroiled in controversy as celebrity participants reveal what they describe as a toxic backstage environment.

Strictly, the UK’s counterpart to Dancing with the Stars, follows a similar format: each season, a new set of celebrities is paired with professional ballroom dancers, undergoing intense rehearsals to perform intricate dance routines weekly.

The current scandal has seen one of the professional dancers retreat to Sicily after being abruptly dismissed due to alleged misconduct.

Actress Amanda Abbington, who competed in last year’s season of Strictly but exited the show six weeks into the competition, has come forward with her story. It was initially reported that her departure resulted from conflicts with her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, over his training techniques.

In a recent emotional interview with Channel 4 journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Abbington detailed her allegations. Guru-Murthy noted that he had heard rumors of “humiliating behavior of a sexual nature” during rehearsals.